25 year mile marker

We all have milestone markers in our lives, and a big one for me is the day my dad died. It was 25 years ago today that he died, at home, with his wife and dog by his side. That's what he wanted, that's what he got. Here is a picture of him from 1959.

JAY CLAUDE POWERS
JANUARY 10, 1917 - MARCH 6, 1984
I can look back and see that following my gut paid off in a big way concerning Dad's last year. In 1980 I was nagged by the feeling that I had to take "Hospice training" and get involved as a hospice nurse. I kept reading about it, a class was starting in the fall, and I "knew" I had to take the class. Not that I really "wanted" to do it, but had the feeling I HAD to do it. I took the training and was Simi's hospice nurse for a volunteer hospice for 2 years. I got a stipend of 200 dollars per month. There was no end to the new cases of dying people. People just would not stop getting seriously ill, calling hospice, and dying. It was a life-long learning experience to say the least. After 2 years, I burned out, partly because of the emotional toll, partly because it became one of THREE part time jobs I was trying to juggle, and I just felt I could not do it anymore.
Within one year after I left hospice work, Dad got ill. When it became clear his life was in danger, I suggested hospice be called for him in LA where he lived. We were at his Dr's office and Dad had told me I could ask the Dr about it for him. So... I says to the Dr in front of Dad... "Can you write an order for hospice consult for Dad?"...
And Dad says, as only Dad could do.... "Oh shit, I don't need no g**d*** hospice, I got Jaynie and she's gonna be my hospice nurse!" I protested saying I could not do that because I was his daughter, but the Dr says "You can do it" and inside I am screaming "NO, I CAN'T DO IT. LORD, TAKE ME FIRST AND GET ME OUT OF THIS!!!"
But, I learned that all things are possible to get through if I lean on The Lord for strength.
Dad died on his terms, just the way he lived. Start smoking at 13, why not? Drink alcohol every day by 17, why not?
I spent his last night in his home with Maria his wife, and Pooch, his dog. Dad got up under his own power to pee about an hour before he died, and spoke to us about 15 minutes before he died. What a gift to see him make the transition from his body to the next life look so easy. Although, as I sat near him that night he did say, "Jaynie, this is the hardest g**damn thing I have ever done."
That's all he'd say about it. When the 2 mortuary guys came to the house to remove his body, Pooch the dog, who was a fart-in-a-skillet (Dad's term for a thing that could not sit still)... Pooch barked and growled and tried to bite the guys so they would not get into Dad's room where he lay. Maria had to chase the dog, tackle him, put Pooch in a headlock and lock him in the other room.
I sure hope he has rested in peace since then. He'd hate the commie take over of his country lately; current events have me thinking a lot, "what would dad say about this?" and my answer usually ain't pretty, as those of you who knew Dad would know.
Anyway, RIP, DAD!
A quarter of a century has flown by... see you soon on the other side!
I remember.

the relatives visit

Cousin Rich brought his mom here for an overnight visit today; Rich leaves for Italy soon with his wife for 4 months; she got a Fulbright Scholarship and is going to teach in Italy. So he's getting a quick visit in with the SoCal relatives. It is good to see him again and hear about his adventures teaching in NE and living in snow country. We learn the latest on the Sanger farm where his mom still lives as well. They brought Gramma Kelly a belated B'day gift from Linda so we videoed a few minutes. Aunt Vera displays her ranch goods as well; the OJ trees are still producing. All of us gettin older by the minute, but it just seems to give us all more stories to tell.

The Flood

We're all feelin' badly around here for the girls and their friends in the new house. It is an older house but fixed up so wonderfully that it was so exciting for them to be in it and happy. Then came the flood.... whoa! a handle broke off in the main bath in the tub/shower Wed night and caused quite a flood before the water could be turned off. A service had to be called to lift carpets in 2 bedrooms; big fans are set up to dry things out but they cannot use electricity or water. So, back to the home they just left for a few nights till things get fixed. Ah, the joys of home ownership! or not! But their attitudes are good... sh** happens and you deal with it and move on. No one was injured and we are glad of that. Just a major inconvenience.
At least they have an old home to come home to, and that is a good thing.

The move is on!

Last night the packing reached a frenzy as K n J hustled to pack up their goods and get out of Dodge. I admit I will miss them!! They will not miss me, but that is ok. It is their time to move on, move up, and not have gramma to push around anymore... "Gramma, will you make me an omelet?" "gramma, will you make me some pasta?" "Mom, can I have some of that bacon yer fixin?" "Mom, can I use your Von's card?"
MAN! I am going to miss them.
No matter how many times a kid moves out... you miss them each time... when you are me... I cannot speak for any other parent. just little ol me.
so, more later so youse guys can see the new digs they will be at... a literal resort ifn you ask me.

Magnificent Mundane Mundo

Here is a glimpse of our little world on Friday when jords got home from school:




This season of life is calm, quiet, going along well in our little world. I am able to continue working so far. Have learned to "pace" myself so i can get the rest I need to keep the pain under control, slow the weaknesses that are brought on by aging so they don't accelerate at warp-speed for now. Working enables me to help out with personal "causes" that are important to me; no need to list them; God knows what they are and I ask Him to bless whatever "help" I am able to give. Knowing that nothing last forever except our spirits in God's love, I am thankful for each day we have without catastrophe. Being where we are, we "expect" earthquakes, water shortage, fires, wind, and laws made by the fruits-and-nuts of calif. Glenn Beck wants the USA to kick Calif out of the Union; the South left in the 1860's by choice; Glenn believes the USA should be able to choose to let loose of Calif. May happen, who knows? It ain't my father's Calif anymore that's for sure!! But in our little circle, all is well for now, and I give thanks!

papa feeds scrub jays

"Our" scrub jays are back. The old tame one has been gone a few years and the new younger ones are skittish but still come to the yard for snacks. Papa will see if he can "tame' the 2 coming around lately; they may start taking peanuts from his hand soon. His left hand is currently splinted up due to having hand surgery again last week; the contracture problem again. But all should be well soon. Yeah! then he can do dishes again, and clean again!!

Fingerprints, Maria and other stuff

Today I went to a place in an industrial complex to get my fingerprints scanned and submitted to the FBI and DOJ. I need to do this in order to renew my RN licence in the future. Imagine! A little ol gramma nurse who can hardly get out of her own way, minds her own business, (sometimes) wouldn't hurt a flea (unless necessary) and has never been arrested (yet)... needing fingerprints on file.
But times change, and a few rotten eggs have spoiled it for the rest of us outstanding citizens.
So, I pay 71 bucks, and the "trained fingerprint roller" plugs his laptop into a scanner and we begin the scanning process. He says, "oh, you're not showing good definition, and the prints are being rejected." I think, "What the hell?"
He asks, so have you been working? I say, "Yes, I work my fingers to the bone!"
He doesn't even smile.
I says, what now?
He says, we will try again. But first I had to rub some sticky stuff on my fingers to try to "raise the definition".
So... each finger and thumb was rolled at least 4 times, red lights kept flashing, he kept hitting a refresh button or something, and finally he says...
"OK. You may get a letter of rejection, so if you do, come back here and for free we will re-submit them".
I asked, "WHY?" "won't they just get rejected again"?
He says, "yes, but if they get rejected a second time, we will have the FBI ID you by a name search."
damn!! I think I will run this by Glenn Beck on Fox news channel and see if he thinks this is screwy.



So, here is a picture from a few years ago of my at my desk working at work. I hope I get my license renewed by June 30 so I can keep on going into work at that lovely desk!!

For family... Maria, as in dad and Maria... called today, she wanted to respond to Christmas cards. I'd sent her a card and a picture. She is 90, doing well. Had to stop driving due to glaucoma, but decorated her home inside and out for Christmas, still reads a lot, sews, and is loving life. She eats healthy, but bags on her daughter Sandy to stop eating meat and all that fatty stuff, but Sandy don't listen.
So... she still talks of "my JeeMee" (JImmy) and he was the love of her life. Dad left her alone too soon!
Maria says to tell all the family she says "HI" and hopes we are all well.
gotta run. enough for now.
Be well!!